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05-25-2006, 11:03 PM
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#1
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Plankton
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 39
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Best Non-needlewheel skimmer
Can anyone lead me in the direction to a good skimmer for my 125g tank? I was looking at a ASM G3 and the price seems very reasonable, but I don't want a needlewheel. My sump level fluctuates a lot while I'm away from home and I would like a skimmer that stays constant. Thanks for any help.
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05-26-2006, 09:35 AM
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#2
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,113
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Hi and welcome to TRT! I would recomend an MRC skimmer. They arent cheap but they are awesome skimmer. They are a Beckett type skimmer and they can be expanded to make them more powerfull if you upgrade.
You said the sump level fluctuates? So are you looking for an in sump skimmer or out of sump?
Robert
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After 2 years I finally have water in it! (no, really)!
Where is Planet P?
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05-26-2006, 09:39 AM
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#3
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Plankton
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 39
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Sorry about that. The skimmer will go in my sump and I've only got about 25 inches of clearance.
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05-26-2006, 09:44 AM
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#4
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,113
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Well, the level in the sump not being consistant will be an issue. Do you have room to set up an auto top off system? If the level in the sump stays constant it will help. Oh wait, how is your sump set up? do you have baffles?
Robert
__________________
After 2 years I finally have water in it! (no, really)!
Where is Planet P?
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05-26-2006, 09:54 AM
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#5
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Plankton
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 39
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I'm using an old w/d sump that I hadn't used in years. It has a couple of baffels but I could add more. An Auto top off is in the future but I figured I should spend my money on a good skimmer first. Do you think the MRC 2 would be enough for my 125g?
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05-26-2006, 10:03 AM
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#6
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,113
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Yes! I have an MR-2 for my 150 and its great. I recently added a second injector and a 8" riser extension to it cause Im an equipment junky! they are great skimmers. take a few days to break in and then you have to get used to tuning a beckett as opposed to a needlewheel. They do take a bit more attention but once they are dialed in they rock. Plus, Andy at MRC has the best customer service.
Good approach on the skimmer. They are a very important piece of equipment.
Robert
__________________
After 2 years I finally have water in it! (no, really)!
Where is Planet P?
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05-26-2006, 10:05 AM
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#7
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,113
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I would get the Gen-X PCX-55 for a pump also. The pump you use makes a difference. A pressure pump is needed to get the most efficiancy out of the skimmer as the becketts need the pressure to really do the job.
Robert
__________________
After 2 years I finally have water in it! (no, really)!
Where is Planet P?
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05-26-2006, 12:13 PM
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#9
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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Welcome to TRT!!
the skimmer on ebay looks ok. i think i would go with a MR-2 though.
the pumps that the ebay one is suggesting are way to small to actually power a beckett properly. it also seems a bit short to be able to handle a good strong pump. the square box section on the bottom of a MR provides a much slow velocity of water in the skimmer allowing better organic removal.
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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05-26-2006, 08:47 PM
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#10
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Plankton
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 39
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I just remeasured my space and I only have about 24.5 inches of vertical. I guess the MR-1 is the only MRC skimmer that will fit. If I go with the MR-1, will a Mag12 pump have enough power for it? Last question: The MRC-1 skimmer with Mag-12 pump is over $350, while the ASM G-2 is under $250 with a Sedra pump. Is the MRCs skimming ability and efficiency worth the price increase? Thanks! |
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05-26-2006, 09:47 PM
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#11
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,113
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Not so! I had limited space in my original stand and I called Andy and he shortened the MR-2 for me by about an inch! He will do it at no charge i think. I really would suggest going with Andy at MRC. His customer service and support are excellent. He will answer e-mails and help you with any issues. great guy and top notch equipment. Youll be impressed as soon as you take it out of the box!
Robert
__________________
After 2 years I finally have water in it! (no, really)!
Where is Planet P?
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05-30-2006, 08:41 AM
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#12
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Plankton
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Smyrna
Posts: 29
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No one mentioned the Tunze skimmer. What are your thoughts about Tunze?
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05-30-2006, 09:05 AM
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#13
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,113
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ya know, I havent really seen many folks with the Tunze skimmers. I ahve heard they are good but thats about it. Dont see them around alot.
Robert
__________________
After 2 years I finally have water in it! (no, really)!
Where is Planet P?
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05-30-2006, 09:26 AM
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#14
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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very few people have Tunze skimmers. mainly because of the exchange rate of the Euro, it puts it way up there in price brackets for the size tanks it does.
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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05-30-2006, 10:39 AM
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#15
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Just some guy, you know?
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: West of Dimples
Posts: 18,099
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I am another big fan of the bekett skimmer, I used a recerculating needlewheel for a while, then I got a Bekett and I am sold!
I use the same setup Motorslave is suggesting, a MR-2 with a PCX-55 it is a great skimmer, well built and really pulls out the junk. The special made auto shut down container is a neat thing too, if your skimmer goes crazy overnight and starts overflowing the container will shut it down when it fills up, rather than just dumping your tank on the floor.
Whiskey
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Mr. Jive/Dr. Heckyll
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